title: Satisfaction with palliative care after stroke: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The determinants of satisfaction for families of acute stroke patients receiving palliative care have not been extensively studied. We surveyed families to determine how they perceived palliative care after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Families of patients palliated after ischemic stroke, intracerebral, or subarachnoid hemorrhage were approached. Four weeks after the patient's death, families were administered the After-Death Bereaved Family Member Interview to determine satisfaction with the care provided.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen families participated. Families were most satisfied with participation in decision making and least satisfied with attention to emotional needs. In stroke-specific domains, families had less satisfaction with artificial feeding, hydration, and communication. Overall satisfaction was high (9.04 out of 10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Families of patients receiving palliative care at our institution showed generally high satisfaction with palliation after stroke; specific domains were identified for improvement. Further study in larger populations is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. dblacquiere@toh.on.ca
authors.forename: Dylan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blacquiere
authors.forename: Khadija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bhimji
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meggison
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000451:nursing* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000451:nursing*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
keywords: palliative care; personal satisfaction; stroke